What is Lu PSMA (Lutetium-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen) Therapy?

Lu177 PSMA Therapy is a treatment for patients with prostate cancer, especially those who have become refractory to conventional therapy. Lutetium PSMA therapy helps to slow down the growth of the cancer cells, reduce the size of the tumours and most importantly improve the quality of life of the patients by reducing the pain caused by the cancer.

Many prostate cancers, in particular those that have spread or become resistant to hormonal therapies, express a unique receptor on their cell surface called Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA). When Prostate Cancer metastasizes i.e. spreads to other parts of the body, the PSMA receptor is expressed over the sites of metastases as well.

How does Lu PSMA Therapy Work?

Lutetium-177 is a radioactive substance that emits beta radiation, a destructive kind of radiation. Lutetium-177 is bound to a small peptide which attaches to the PSMA receptor expressed on the cancer cell surface. The Lutetium 177 – PSMA complex, thus attached to the prostate cancer cell, then emits killing radiation causing cell death of the cancer cell. Since the penetration of the emitted beta particle is very small, the surrounding normal cells are spared.

How is the Therapy Done?

Lu177 PSMA is administered intravenously. The patient is admitted to the hospital for 24 hours. A kidney function scan called a MAG3/EC scan is done prior to the administration of the Lu177 PSMA.

What are the Side Effects of Lu PSMA Therapy?

Lu177 PSMA is well tolerated. The most common side effects are a slightly dry mouth, fatigue and nausea. There may also be a slight fall in the white blood cells and platelets about 2 – 3 weeks after the Lu177 PSMA administration.

What is the Response Rate With Lu PSMA Therapy?

The response rates of Lu177 PSMA depend on the tumour biology of prostate cancer, the initial Gleason Score, the extent of disease and the responses to prior therapies. Typically, more than 70% of patients demonstrate a reduction in S. PSA and a shrinkage of tumours following Lu177 PSMA therapy.

When would the doctor consider using this Therapy?

Lu PSMA Therapy is a very specific therapy and is used for managing metastatic Prostate Cancer or when Prostate Cancer is no longer responsive to other types of treatment.

What are the Treatment Schedules with Lu PSMA Therapy?

Most patients undergo three-four treatment cycles at intervals of 8-12 weeks. The number of cycles and the interim duration may vary between individuals depending on the response and interim assessments.

Why should I choose the nuclear medicine therapy center at Fortis Memorial & Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram (Haryana, India)?

The Nuclear Medicine Therapy Centre at FMRI was one of the first institutes to offer Radio-ligand Therapy with Lu PSMA, and today, the center receives patients from the country and from across the world.

Dr. Subha Shankar Das | Nuclear Medicine Expert in India

Dr. Subha Shankar Das

Dr. Subha Shankar Das works a Senior Resident at the Nuclear Medicine Department at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, Haryana INDIA.

Dr. Subha has a rich experience of 8 years in the Nuclear Medicine Therapy discipline.

He completed his MBBS on the year 2012 from the Silchar Medical College, Assam University and there on he moved to moved to work as a House Officer, Mediland Hospital and Research Centre, Silchar, Assam

And his last assignment before joining Fortis was as a DNB Trainee at the G.S. Medical College & K.E. M Hospital, Parel Mumbai, Maharashtra.

In these 8 years he developed a keen interest in managing patients with Hyperthyroidism with low dose of radio-iodine therapy.

Experience

2011- 2012: Internship, MBBS
February 2012- September 2012: House Officer, Mediland Hospital and Research Centre, Silchar, Assam
2011- 2013: Medical Officer, Uttar Narainpur PHC, Hailakandi, Assam
2013-2014: Medical Officer, Thaligram PHC, Cachar, Assam
January 2015- November 2015: House Resident, Department of TB and Chest Medicine, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar, Assam
March 2016- May 2016: House Resident, Department of Urology, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya
2016-2019: DNB trainee for three years in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seth G. S. Medical College & K. E. M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Specialised Training

Radioiodine Therapy and other treatments for Thyroid Cancer.
M.B.B.S. from Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam University (2006- 2012)
Maharashtra Medical Council Registration No.: 2019/09/6289 Date of certification: 25th of September, 2019
Primary DNB trainee in Nuclear Medicine from Seth G. S. Medical College and K. E. M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai (10/05/2016- 26/05/2019). DNB Passed.
Experience with Gamma camera, SPECT-CT system and PET-CT system.
Experience in managing patients with hyperthyroidism with low dose radio-iodine therapy.

Dr. Subha Shankar Das

Experience

Specialised Training

Consult Dr Ishita B Sen

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Dr. Subha Shankar Das

Experience

Specialised Training

Consult Dr Ishita B Sen

Get in touch with us

Get in
touch with us